Presbyterian News Service has word that the Rev. Bill Teng will stand for position of moderator of the PCUSA at the denomination’s assembly in San Jose, Calif., next June.

I may be wrong but this is the first official announcement I’ve heard from any candidate.

Teng, who was born in Hong Kong and now pastors Heritage Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, Va., says “Our denomination at this time really needs to have a sense of hope.”

Teng is vying to succeed the current moderator, Joan Gray, at the end of her term. The PCUSA is also accepting nominations to succeed the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, the longtime stated clerk, who has said he’ll step down at the end of his current term.